Saint Ferdinand III, King of Castile, León, and Galicia, was a brave Monarch, who succeeded in freeing a great part of Spain from the hard yoke of the Mahomedans. His innocence of life, and the justice and benevolence of his Rule, quickly won for him the love of his subjects. He died in the odour of Sanctity in 1252.

Ferdinand III was one of the most successful Kings of Castile, securing not only the permanent union of The Crowns of Castile and León, but also masterminding the most expansive campaign of Reconquista, yet.

By military and diplomatic efforts, Ferdinand greatly expanded the Dominions of Castile into Southern Spain, annexing many of the great old Cities of al-Andalus, including the old Andalusian Capitals of Córdoba and Seville, and establishing the boundaries of The Castilian State for the next two Centuries.

During the Season Consecrated to The Mystery of Our Emmanuel's Birth, we saw standing, near His Crib, The Blessed Emperor Charlemagne. Crowned with The Imperial Diadem, and with a Sword in his fearless hand, he seemed to be watching over The Babe, Whose first Worshippers were Shepherds.

And, now, near the glorious Sepulchre, which was visited by Magdalene and her Companions, we perceive a King - Ferdinand The Victorious - wearing a Crown, and keeping guard with his valiant Sword, the terror of The Saracen.

Catholic Spain is personified in her Ferdinand. His mother, Berengaria, was sister to Blanche, the mother of Saint Louis of France. In order to form "The Catholic Kingdom", there was needed one of Our Lord's Apostles, Saint James The Great; there was needed a formidable trial, The Saracen invasion, which deluged The Peninsula; there was needed a chivalrous resistance, which lasted eight hundred years, and, by which, Spain regained her glory and freedom.

Saint Ferdinand is the worthy representative of the brave heroes who drove out the Moors from their fatherland and made her what she is; but he had the virtues of a Saint, as well as the courage of a Soldier.